The Nature of Legal Interpretation

What Jurists Can Learn about Legal Interpretation from Linguistics and Philosophy

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Law, Legal History, Constitutional
Cover of the book The Nature of Legal Interpretation by , University of Chicago Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9780226445168
Publisher: University of Chicago Press Publication: May 17, 2017
Imprint: University of Chicago Press Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9780226445168
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Publication: May 17, 2017
Imprint: University of Chicago Press
Language: English

Language shapes and reflects how we think about the world. It engages and intrigues us. Our everyday use of language is quite effortless—we are all experts on our native tongues. Despite this, issues of language and meaning have long flummoxed the judges on whom we depend for the interpretation of our most fundamental legal texts. Should a judge feel confident in defining common words in the texts without the aid of a linguist? How is the meaning communicated by the text determined? Should the communicative meaning of texts be decisive, or at least influential? 
 
To fully engage and probe these questions of interpretation, this volume draws upon a variety of experts from several fields, who collectively examine the interpretation of legal texts. In The Nature of Legal Interpretation, the contributors argue that the meaning of language is crucial to the interpretation of legal texts, such as statutes, constitutions, and contracts. Accordingly, expert analysis of language from linguists, philosophers, and legal scholars should influence how courts interpret legal texts. Offering insightful new interdisciplinary perspectives on originalism and legal interpretation, these essays put forth a significant and provocative discussion of how best to characterize the nature of language in legal texts.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Language shapes and reflects how we think about the world. It engages and intrigues us. Our everyday use of language is quite effortless—we are all experts on our native tongues. Despite this, issues of language and meaning have long flummoxed the judges on whom we depend for the interpretation of our most fundamental legal texts. Should a judge feel confident in defining common words in the texts without the aid of a linguist? How is the meaning communicated by the text determined? Should the communicative meaning of texts be decisive, or at least influential? 
 
To fully engage and probe these questions of interpretation, this volume draws upon a variety of experts from several fields, who collectively examine the interpretation of legal texts. In The Nature of Legal Interpretation, the contributors argue that the meaning of language is crucial to the interpretation of legal texts, such as statutes, constitutions, and contracts. Accordingly, expert analysis of language from linguists, philosophers, and legal scholars should influence how courts interpret legal texts. Offering insightful new interdisciplinary perspectives on originalism and legal interpretation, these essays put forth a significant and provocative discussion of how best to characterize the nature of language in legal texts.

More books from University of Chicago Press

Cover of the book What's Fair on the Air? by
Cover of the book Yaya's Story by
Cover of the book The Oresteia by
Cover of the book Wolves on the Hunt by
Cover of the book Of Beards and Men by
Cover of the book Thoughts and Things by
Cover of the book The Man Who Stole Himself by
Cover of the book Down, Out, and Under Arrest by
Cover of the book The Merits of Women by
Cover of the book SuperVision by
Cover of the book Why Not Parties? by
Cover of the book Improvising Improvisation by
Cover of the book Children with Enemies by
Cover of the book Tax Policy and the Economy, Volume 29 by
Cover of the book Collective Memory and the Historical Past by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy